Stop positioning mechanism for typewriters



y 1954 w. T. SAGNER 2,684,146

STOP POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERE Filed April 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i i 4 liq-#4 M;

INVENTOR. V

WALTER r .SAGNER ATTORNEV July 20, 1954 w. T. SAGNER 2,684,146

STOP POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed April 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I /Nl/EN7OR WALTER T SAGNER ATTORNEY rocker frame 35 carrying a dog 3! normally in carriage holding engagement with one of the teeth of the escapement wheel 26, such holding dog 3 l, in a usual manner, permitting, however, ready movement of the carriage rightwardly in carriage return direction against the urge of the spring motor 23. The rocker frame 33 supports also a stepping dog 34, and is pivoted on an axis indicated as at 35. By mechanism old in the art, each operation of a type bar 22, as well as each operation of a word space key, not shown, results in a letter feeding step of the carriage through a rocking action imparted to the escapement 25. For positioning the carriage conveniently in any position desirable, it may be provided with a usual carriage release control 36, which, if actuated, by means of a link 31 swings the rack 38 upwardly, free of the pinion 23, spaced arms 38 supporting the rack for upward swinging movement about an axis iii.

The normal limits of carriage travel are adjustably established by a left and a right margin defining element or stop, respectively numbered 44 and 65, which stops are adapted to cooperate with a counterstop 45, see particularly Figures 1 and 3. Said stops 44 and 45 are supported for adjustment in parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage, on a toothed bar ll which at its ends is secured upon the opposite end plates iii of the carriage. As best seen in Figure 3, each margin stop 44, 55 may constitute a block or body grooved as at for sliding adjustment lengthwise of the bar ll. A look 52 on each stop in the form of a vertically movable slide normally holds each stop in a specific stopping position along the toothed bar 67. Each lock slide 52 is accommodated in a vertically disposed slot 53 of its stop, and is retained for vertical sliding movement along the rear of said slots by the rear side of the toothed bar 47. Each of said slides 52 includes a forwardly reaching nose 5B for stop looking engagement upwardly in the notches 55 of the toothed bar 3?. Compression springs 5% underlying heads 5'! on the upper ends of the slides 52 bias the latter upwardly so that the noses 5d are normally in stop-locking engageent in the notches of the bar ll. The springs 56 are preferably seated in sockets provided in the stop bodies, as shown. It will thus be seen that adjustment of either stop 34, d5 entails movement of the appropriate lock slide 52 downwardly, and according to the invention such movement is effected under keyboard control, in an eiiicient manner, as will be brought out later.

The counterstop ifi, see particularly Figure 2, comprises the upper end of an upright arm 58 which is disposed approximately mid-way between the sides or the machine, said counterstop 36 protruding upwardly through a rectangular perforation iii in a top plate 52 of a small housing 63 constituting part of the frame work of the machine. The counterstop arm iii! is at its lower end borne on a headed stud 55, the latter projecting from the rear of a cross member as of the framework. In order that the counterstop :36 may be displaced out of Ta nge of the margin stops M, 35, it has a vertical slot where it is borne on the stud 65, and a spring 6?, see Figures 2 and 3, normally urges the counterstop arm 60 bodily upwardly to the limit of the stated slot. Another spring $8, see Figure 3, has a rightward action on the arm 68 for the counterstop 35 to lie normally to the right in the perforation ii i. The left margin stop M is usually leftward of the counterstop 4%, whereas the device it.

i right margin stop 5-5 is usually rightward there'- of, each margin stop having a stop race it facing normally toward the counterstop 3%.

In the course of typing a line, the carriage travels leftwardly, and if the right margin stop 35 travels suiiiciently far, its stop face 79 will engage the counterstop it to displace it leftwardly in the perforation the equivalent of about a letter-feed space. Such displacement of the counterstop in a conventional manner, not shown, results in the operation of a line-lock mechanism, not shown, rendering further typing infeasible unless by operation of a margin release key, not shown, the counterstop is lowered to inefiective position. Carriage return movement is limited normally by engagement of the face 70 of stop (i l with the counterstop it, but return movement beyond is possible if the counterstop is lowered as just stated. So that the carriage may be moved readily from without to within the traveling range defined therefor by the stops i l, 35, each such step has a cam face '39 to ride over and depress the counterstop ti; temporarily out of the way.

Either margin stop it, 35 is adapted to be adjusted by carriage movement after it is first brought into engaged relation with the counterstop iii by carriage movement, to this end a conveniently accessible control in the form of a key it is provided in the keyboard of the machine to actuate a device it for releasing action on the appropriate margin stop. Said device I see Figures 1 and 3, consists of a composite slide comprising an upper member is and a lower member ll joined distensibly by two shouldered studs is projecting rearwardly from the slide member is for association in slots he provided in the lower member ii. A spring a: stretched be-- tween the two members '56, ii keeps the member 76 in a contracted, lowered relation on the member ll for movement therewith normally as a unit. Said composite slide it, 'l'i, see particularly Figure 3, is guided for vertical movement in the framework of the machine, and to this end the top plate 62 is notched as at 8| to accommodate slidingly the member the latter retained at the front by a finger reaching from the underside of the plate E2 and fastened to the housing 53. The slide member ll at its 10" er end has a slot for sliding accommodation behind the counterstop arm 53 on the stud 65. Below the plate 52 another plate 35 is pro vided on the housing 53 to an interme diate sliding support for the composite slide or A spring associated with the slide member it ur es the device it normally to the upper position seen in Figures 2 3, wherein a forwardly projecting end or the lower shouldered stud it engages lilnitedly the ide the plate 3d.

When the left margin stop requisite to an adjusting operation therefor is brought canriage movement rightwardly ag .1 the counter stop it, then the forward part of the nose on such sto need in operational alignment with a release finger provided on the upper member of the stop releasing device Similarly when the line end margin stop brought by carriage movement into carriage venient limiting engagement with the counterstop, then the forward part of the stop lock 5 posed in operational alignment with another release finger provided on the member iii. Eithe: of the stops l l or :35 with its nose 5t posed as stated is releasable by actuation of the key M resulting in a downward actuation of the stop releasing device '55. In such release, see Figure 5, the appropriate release finger, by pressing down on the forward part of the lock nose 54, displaces the lock slide 52 downwardly to ineffective position. The key M is borne on the forward end of av lever 88 having pivotal support at 96 and including an arm ill for actuation of a leftwardly extending lever 92 having an arm overlying a pin 93 projecting rearwardly from the member 11 of the device 15. Said key 14 and associated lever 88 are at the right side of the machine and the lever 92 is disposed as shown in Figure 3 to transmit motion to the member H which is at the mid-portion of the machine. The lever as has pivotal support in a bracket member Q4 rising upwardly from the cross bar 66. A spring 95 associated with the lever 88 urges the same to the normal position shown in Figure 2, and a comb 8d wherein the forward end of the lever is guided provides a normal position stop.

It is to be understood that the fingers 8%, 8? of the stop releasing device '55 lie normally clear of the travelling paths of the stops M, 55. When either of the fingers 8'3 or 8'! at depression of the key l4, incidental to a stop releasing operation, descends on one of the lock noses 5 there is first some idle movement before contact. During such idle movement the appropriate releasing finger or 31' enters into a notch afforded by two spaced cam elements 98 flanking the lock nose 54 on each stop. The stated notch constitutes a forward extension of the guide slot 53 for the stop lock element 52 and is preferably somewhat wider than the slot to accommodate a finger 86 or 8? of ample strength. It will thus be seen that as a first incident to the downward'actuation of the device 55 the appropriate finger 86 or 37 enters into the stated notch, wherefore then the stop to be released is held stationary with respect to the frame by the stop releasing device. Incidental to completed downward operation of the device 75, see Figure 5, the stop lock 52 is placed in released condition and with the key is then still held operated, the released stop is adapted to be given the desired new adjusted position on its supporting rack A! by movement of the carriage to whatever position the stop is hence desired to function, it being understood that meanwhile the stop is held at its releasing station by one of the fingers 85 or 8i. When then the key M is released, the resultant restoration of the stop releasing device '55 to normal position causes the stop lock 52 to become re applied to hold the stop in the new position on the carriage.

There is no assurance that an operator may not operate the stop releasing device is prematurely, that is, before a margin stop to be adjusted is placed by carriage movement incontact with the counterstop 46. According to the invention, efficient provision is made whereby an operator may depress the key M at any time before the actual stop adjustment is commenced, that is, before the carriage is moved while the margin stop to be adjusted is against the counterstop in its releasing station. At such operation of the key M, the upper member 76 of the stop releasing device L3 in any event will be drawn downwardly impositively by the spring 8!. If the margin stop to be adjusted is at such time far removed from its releasing station against the counterstop, then the member it will move to its downward limit established by contact of a pin I00 thereon with the finger 82. Assuming for the moment that it is the right margin stop 45 that is required to be adjusted, the necessary leftward movement of such stop to bring it into contact with the counterstop 6, causes the camming face ifli on the left camming element 98 of the stop 45 to ride underneath and past the releasing finger ill, see Figure 4, to lift it above the forward part of the lock nose Ed on the stop 45, into operatively aligned position therewith. During the lifting of the finger 8?, the member 11 remains operated due to sustained operation of the key it, while consequently the spring 8! is distended. As the notch formed between the adjacent cam elements 98 of the stop 45 becomes positioned directly underneath the setting finger 81, the power stored in the distended spring ill will automatically cause the member '15 to assume its normal relation with respect to the member ll, that is the member it will move downwardly to release the lock 52 on the oppositely stationed margin stop 45, as shown in Figure 5. The procedure for thereafter adjusting the stop 45 is the same as before outlined, namely, with the key "i l held operated, the carriage is given the appropriate position wherein the stop is desired to be active in the future, and thereupon said key is released to cause the restoration of the stop lock to holding position.

Also for adjustment of the stop id, the operator may depress the key 14 at any time before the actual stop adjustment is commenced. For example, as the key 14 is operated the stop 4 may be situated at the right of the setting finger 88. As the carriage i5 is moved to bring the stop 44 into left margin gaging position, that is into releasing station, a cam face it! on the left-hand cam element 98 of such stop acts liftingly on the stop releasing finger 86 for resultant stop releasing action on the forward part of the lock nose 5 2, by power of the distended spring 8i, just as the stop 44 arrives in releasing station. Obviousiy, with the key M still held operated, movement of the carriage will then result in an adjustment of the stop as similarly as explained with reference to the stop 44.

As has been stated hereinbefore, each of the stops id, 45 is provided with two cam elements 38 which oppositely flank the lock noses 54. Due to the provision of the left cam element 98 on the left margin stop 44, such stop, while the stop releasing device it is held operated, may be moved with the carriage leftwardly to its stop releasing station from a position therebeyond. Obviously during such leftward movement of the carriage a cam face Hid on the left of the stop 44 will effect a temporary upward displacement of the member 56 by contact with the finger 86 thereon, and, as the lock nose 54 on such stop assumes a position directly underneath the finger 86, the latter will descend automatically resulting in the release of the stop lock. Under the just stated procedure the margin stop d4 rides idly over the counterstop 46 and, instead of being arrested by coaction with the latter, becomes stationary in its stop releasing station by the releasing finger snapping in the notch between the two cam elements 98. The released stop 34 consequently is then adjustable by carriage movement while the key i4 is still held depressed.

Also the margin stop 45 has two cam faces, NH. The cam face NH at the right on stop 45 serves similarly to the cam face IE3! at the left on stop '14, namely the stop 45 may be brought to setting station from a position at the left of 7 the counterstop at and under operated condition of the device 15.

It will be perceived that the stop releasing device 15 is capable of releasing action on a stop i l or 45 only at the appropriate time, whether the key is is operated prematurely or not, and that always when either stop 44 or 45 arrives at its releasing station, and the key 14 is operated, the appropriate stop will be released and rendered stationary with respect to the counterstop 46.

Obviously, if the key M is operated while a stop is near its stop releasing station, then one of the fingers til or 8'! will clash upon one of the cam faces H3! and during completed operation of the key it the spring connecting the members it and ii of the stop releasing device will be strained. If thereafter the stop, by carriage movement, is brought into its releasing station, with the key it still held depressed, the result will be the same as in the case where said stop was initially at a location far removed from the releasing station.

For most convenient adjustment of the stops id, Q5, the machine is preferably equipped with certain keyboard-controlled power devices disclosed in the stated copending application, Serial No. 101,739. Namely, to bring the stop 4 against the counterstop 5 preparatory to effecting its adjustment, a power carriage return device including a return key in the keyboard may be provided. For bringing the stop 45 similarly against the counterstop it, a keyboard-controlled carriage tabulating device may be provided. Additionally, as featured in said application, the stops it, 45, after location in their individual adjusting station, are preferably caused to be adjusted on the ca riage, leftwardly or rightwardly by power devices which under control means provided in the keyboard are adapted to effect this by repeat power spacings of the carriage leftwardly or rightwardly according to requirement. By use of the stated keyboard-controlled power devices and in conjunction with the key M the stops 4%, it may thus be emciently power adjusted under keyboard control similarly as featured in said copending application where said stop was initially at a location far removed from the releasing station.

While it is advantageous and desirable to provide a yielding provision, such as the spring Si in the operating train from the key 14 to the stop releasing member '35, such yielding provision is not to be considered essential. Obviously in the absence of such a yielding provision there would be effected a temporary restoration of the key it against finger pressure maintained thereagainst, the maintained finger pressure at arrival of the stop at its releasing station being resultant in automatic stop releasing action of the device on the stop lock nose 54.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the aims and objects of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms coming substantially within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member, adjustable arresting means for said carriage member, comprising, a stop mounted on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage member,

and a releasable stop lock, a part on said stop operable substantially transversely to said direction for release of said stop lock, a device on the other member posed in a relation for stop releasing action on said part only in a particular position of the carriage member defined by the adjusted stop, and means on said stop associated for coaction with said device if the latter is operated and this is followed by movement of the carriage member to said particular position, to impart resultingly a movement to said device for the latter to assume a relation for stop releasing action on said part.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, and means on said stop and said device brought into engagement at each effective stop releasing operation of said device to hold the stop stationary with respect to said other member, whereby adjustment of the stop on its supporting member may then be effected by movement of the carriage member.

3. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member, adjustable arresting means for said carriage member, comprising, a stop mounted on one of said members for adjustment in par-- allel to the direction of travel of the carriage member, and a releasable stop lock, a part on said stop operable substantially transversely to said direction for release of said stop look, a device on the other member posed in a relation for stop releasing action on said part only in a particular position of the carriage member defined by the adjusted stop, a key adapted for operation irrespective of the prevailing position of the carriage member, means to operate said device by said key and including resilient motion transmiting means, said part being operable by said device only if the carriage member is in said particular position, and means on said stop associated for coaction with said device if said key is operated and this is accompanied by 1novement of the carriage member to said particular position, to impart resultingly a movement to said device straining said transmitting means and conditioning the device for stop releasing action on said part under power of the strained transmitting means automatically at arrival of the carriage member in said particular position.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3, and means to hold said stop stationary with respect to said other member at each operation of said device resulting in the release of said stop lock.

5. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided lineally on a frame member for opposite directional movements, means comprising a stop and a counterstop supported oppositely on said members to limit one directional movement of the carriage member, means to mount said stop on its supporting member for adjustment in parallel to the lineally guided carriage member, said mounting means comprising a releasable stop lock carried by said stop, said stop and counterstop in limiting said one directional movement of the carriage member placing the latter in a limit station defined by said adjustment stop, a key, a device on said counterstop supporting member operable by said key to release said stop look, a part of said stop having connection with said lock and being in position for lock-releasing operation by said device only when the carriage member is in the limit station defined by said stop, said device idly operable in other positions of the carriage member, further means on said stop clear of the unoperated device in all positions of the carriage and adapted for direct cooperation with said device if operating force is applied on said key and additionally the carriage member thereafter is moved to said limit station from a position short thereof, to transitorily restore and then release said device to operate on said part for a stop releasing operation thereof as the carriage member arrives at said limit station, and means to hold said stop stationary with respect to the counterstop at each stop releasing operation of said part by said device.

6. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided lineally on a frame member, a stop and a counterstop supported oppositely on said members to limit one directional movement of the carriage member, means to lock said sto releasably on its supporting member for adjustment in parallel to the lineally guided carriage member, said stop and counterstop in limiting one directional movement of the carriage member placing the latter in a limit station defined by the adjusted stop, a key, a stop releasing element on the counterstop supporting member operable by said key transversely oi the carriage member, said stop having a part for operation by said element to release said stop locking means, and said part being operable only when the carriage member is in said limit station, and means carried on said stop for camming action on said element in the event the carriage member is moved to the said limit station with operating pressure applied on said key, to force automatically a restoring movement of said element placing it in position for stop-releasing operation on said part when the carriage member arrives in the limit station defined by said stop.

'7. The invention set forth in claim 6, and means conditioned by operation of said element only if the carriage member is at the limit station, to hold the sto stationary with respect to the counterstop, whereby adjustment of the stop may then be effected by movement of the carriage member.

8. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided lineally on a frame member v for opposite directional movements, means comprising a stop and a counterstop supported oppositely on said members to limit one directional movement of the carriage member, means to mount said stop on its supporting member for adjustment in parallel to the lineally guided carriage member, said mounting means comprising a releasable stop lock carried by said stop, said stop and counterstop in limiting said one directional movement or" the carriage member placing the latter in a limit station defined by said adjusting stop, a device on the counterstop supporting member operable for releasing said stop lock, means to operate said device impositively, comprising a key and a resilient element, means on said stop for operation by said device only when the carriage member is in the limit station defined by said stop, and when operated releasing said stop lock, said device adapted for idle operation by the key in other positions of the carriage member, and means carried on said stop for camming action on said device if said key is operated when the carriage member is short of said limit station, to impart during movement of said carriage member to said limit station a restoring motion to said device straining the said resilient element, said stop carried means arranged to free said device automatically for stop releasing operation by the strained resilient element at the arrival of the carriage member at said limit station.

9. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member, adjustable arresting means for said carriage member, comprising, a stop mounted on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage member, and a releasable stop lock, a part of said stop operable substantially transversely to said direction for release of said lock, an element on the other member posed in a relation for stop releasing action on said part only in a particular position of the carriage member defined by the adjusted stop, and means on said stop at opposite sides of said part in the direction of carriage travel, associated for camming coaction on said element if the latter is operated and this is followed by movement of the carriage member in either direction to said particular position, to impart resultingly a restoring movement to said element for the latter to assume a relation for stop releasing action on said part.

I 10. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member, adjustable arresting means for said carriage member, comprising, a stop mounted on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage member, and a' stop locking device on said stop including a part actuatable thereon transversely to said direction to release said stop for adjustment, an element on the other member posed in a relation for stop releasing action on said part only in a particular position of the carriage member defined by the adjusted stop, and oppositely slanting cam elements on said stop flanking said part in the direction of carriage travel, for action on said element if the latter is operated and this is followed by movement of the carriage member in either direction to said particular position, to impart a restoring movement to said element for the latter at arrival of the carriage member in said particular position to assume automaticall a relation for stop releasing action on said part.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10, said cam elements forming a notch therebetween whereinto said element is adapted to enter when it is operated with the carriage member in said particular position, whereby the stop is then held stationary with respect to said other member.

12. In a typewriting machine or the like, having a carriage guided to travel on a frame, adjustable arresting means for said carriage comprising, a stop mounted on the carriage for adjustment in parallel to the direction of carriage travel, and a releasable stop look, a part on. said stop operable substantially transversely to said direction for release of said look, a device sup-- ported on th frame and posed in a relation for stop releasing action on said part only in a particular position of the carriage defined by the adjusted stop, a key at the front of the machine, means including a motion transmitting spring to operate said device by said key impositively, and means on said stop associated for coaction with said device if the latter is operated and this i followed by movement of the carriage to said particular position, to impart resultingly a restoring movement to said device stressing said spring and conditioning said device for automatic stop releasing action on said part as said particular carriage position is reached.

13. In a typewriting machine or th like, having a carriage member guided to travel on a --.frame member, adjustable arresting means for the carriage member, comprising, a rack on one of said members extending parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage member and a stop adjustable to different positions along said rack and having a stop lock means releasably in engagement with said rack, a part on said stop having connection with said stop lock means and movable transversely of the rack to release said stop lock means, a device on the other one of said members for stop releasing action on said part transversely of the rack only in the particular position of the carriage member defined by the adjusted stop, means including a key to operate said device, said device being idly operable in positions of said carriage member short of that defined by said stop, and means on said stop cooperative with said device if the latter is idly operated by said key and thereafter under condition of operating force sustained on said key the carriage member is moved to the limit position defined by said stop, to effect a transitory restoration of the device and then to release it for reoperation as the carriage mem ber arrives in the position defined by the adjusted stop.

14. In a typewriting machine or the like having a carriage member guided to travel on a ,frame member; means comprising a margin defining element supported on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of carriage member travel to manifest the travel of the carriage member to a predetermined margin position, means adjustable along with said marg n defining element, comprising, releasable lock means for said margin defining element including a part operable substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the carriage member, and including means flanking both sides of said part in the direction of travel of the carriage 'member, a manipulative control, and an operator for said part supported on the other of said members and adapted to be operated by said control to enter between saidflanking means to operate said part only if said operator and said part have a specific position of lateral registration, said flanking means including a ramp hav-. ing control over said operator so that if by movement of the carriage member in one direction said operator and said part are given said specific position of lateral registration while pressure is and stands applied to said control, the said operator Will efiect automatically at the end of such carriage member movement an operation on said part to release said lock means,

15. In a typewriting machine or the like having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member; means comprising a margin defining element supported on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of carriage-member travel to manifest the travel of a carriage member to a predetermined position, releasable lock means adjustable along with said margin defining element and comprising, a part operable substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the carriage member, a device on the other of said members posed in a relation for lock releasing operation on said part if said part relatively to said device by positioning of the carriage member is brought into a specific position of lateral registration, and means associated for adjustment along With said margin defining element and adapted for coaction with said device to control said device to impart a lock releasing action on said part if said device and said part by carriage-member movement and under condition of operating eflort applied on said device are given said specific position of lateral registration.

16. In a typewriting machine or the like having a carriage member guided to travel on a frame member; means comprising a margin defining element supported on one of said members for adjustment in parallel to the direction of carriage member travel to manifest the travel of the carriage member to a predetermined margin position, means adjustable along with said margin defining element, comprising, releasable lock means for said margin defining element including a part operable substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the carriage member, and including means flanking both sides of said part in the direction of travel of the carriage member, a manipulative control, an operator for said part supported on the other of said members and adapted to be operated to enter between said flankin means to operate said part only if said operator and said part have a specific position of lateral registration, and resilient means to operate said operator by said control, said flanking means including a ramp having control over said operator so that if by movement of the carriage member in one direction said operator and said part are given said specific position of lateral registration While pressure is and stands applied to said control, the said operator will efiect automatically at the end of such carriage member movement an operation on said part to release said lock means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,594,379 Ramus Aug. 3, 1926 1,748,896 Olivetti M Feb. 25, 1930 2,209,279 Myers July 23, 1940 2,316,666 Bredimus Apr. 13, 1943 

